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This is a huge deal. But $1.4 billion is not cheap, can Pakistan come up with enough funding for this purchase ?

LAHORE: China has agreed to sell Pakistan at least 36 advanced fighter jets in a landmark deal worth as much as $1.4bn, Pakistani and western officials said on Tuesday.

China will supply two squadrons of J-10 fighter planes in a preliminary agreement, which could lead to further sales in future, a Pakistani official said.

The official added that Pakistan might buy “larger numbers” of the planes in the future, but denied reports that Pakistan had agreed to buy 150 jets.

Experts describe the agreement as a “landmark” in Pak-China relations.

“The agreement should not simply be seen in the narrow context of Pakistan’s relations with China,” said Abdul Qayyum, a retired Pakistani general. “There is a wider dimension. By sharing its advanced technology with Pakistan, China is … also saying to the world that its defence capability is growing rapidly.”

China has supplied Pakistan with fighter jets for more than three decades. Experts said the sales would be evidence of China looking to expand its military power. “Countries like Iran and possibly some of the Middle Eastern countries would be keen to deal with China,” said one western official in Islamabad.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=20091111story_11-11-2009_pg1_5

By polaris

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May 12 (Bloomberg) — Taiwan needs as many as 66 more Lockheed Martin Corp. F-16 fighter jets to counter Chinas growing air defense and attack capability, according to a report by a pro-Taiwan advocacy group.
By bloomberg.com

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Chinese and Russian-made fighter jets blasted through the skies, shaking the dilapidated buildings of Caracas as they passed. Tanks and troops paraded through the streets and special forces troops shouted in unison: Im an anti-imperialist socialist!
By timesonline.co.uk

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YANGCUN AIR BASE, China (Reuters) – Four Chinese J-10 fighter jets banked and sported in perfect formation in the blue skies near Tianjin on Tuesday, before executing a neat landing, their braking parachutes billowing out just in front of a viewing stand filled with military attaches.
By thestar.com.my

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TAIPEI, Taiwan: China now has better fighter jets than Taiwan, according to a military report by the island’s Ministry National Defense (MND) as the air force yesterday renewed its bid to obtain new F-16s from the United States.
By us.rd.yahoo.com

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China now has better fighter jets than Taiwan, according to a military report by the island’s defence ministry which has been unsuccessful in its attempts to seek new F-16 jets from the United States.
By us.rd.yahoo.com

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China’s military warned the United States against considering selling fighter jets to Taiwan, telling Washington to “speak and act carefully” and denying the People’s Liberation Army played a part in internet hacking.
By us.rd.yahoo.com

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Honour guards stand in a line before an official welcoming ceremony inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, February 25, 2010. REUTERS/Jason Lee BEIJING, Feb 26 (Reuters) – China’s military warned the United States against considering selling fighter jets to Taiwan, telling Washington to “speak and act carefully” and denying the People’s Liberation Army played a part in Internet hacking.
By us.rd.yahoo.com

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BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s military warned the United States against considering selling fighter jets to Taiwan, telling Washington to “speak and act carefully” and denying the People’s Liberation Army played a part in Internet hacking.
By us.rd.yahoo.com

via Taiwan leader presses US on fighter jets (Space War).

Taipei (AFP) Nov 24, 2009 – Taiwan Tuesday urged the United States to sell the island F16 fighter jets to ensure its security, as a senior American envoy said a deal could not be ruled out during the Barack Obama administration.

Air force dazzles crowd in founding show after delays: “Three J-7 fighter jets circle through the air, leaving trails of smoke during the aerial show from the People’s Liberation Army’s Air Force yesterday to mark the 60th anniversary of its founding. Although gusty winds stung the faces of any braving the coldest day this winter, it did not stop the 6,500 who were in attendance yesterday at the anniversary show of the People’s Liberation Army’s Air Force. Warplanes knifed through the winds, creating trails of red, white and blue smoke across …”

Pakistan and China in $1.4 billion fighter jet deal: “This is a huge deal. But $1.4 billion is not cheap, can Pakistan come up with enough funding for this purchase ?

LAHORE: China has agreed to sell Pakistan at least 36 advanced fighter jets in a landmark deal worth as much as $1.4bn, Pakistani and western officials said on Tuesday.

China will supply two squadrons of J-10 fighter planes in a preliminary agreement, which could lead to further sales in future, a Pakistani official said.

The official added that Pakistan might buy “larger numbers” of the planes in the future, but denied reports that Pakistan had agreed to buy 150 jets.

Experts describe the agreement as a “landmark” in Pak-China relations.

“The agreement should not simply be seen in the narrow context of Pakistan’s relations with China,” said Abdul Qayyum, a retired Pakistani general. “There is a wider dimension. By sharing its advanced technology with Pakistan, China is … also saying to the world that its defence capability is growing rapidly.”

China has supplied Pakistan with fighter jets for more than three decades. Experts said the sales would be evidence of China looking to expand its military power. “Countries like Iran and possibly some of the Middle Eastern countries would be keen to deal with China,” said one western official in Islamabad.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\11\11\story_11-11-2009_pg1_5

Gilani invites Chinese investments in defence sector (Press Trust of India): “Beijing, Oct 13 (PTI) Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today invited Chinese defence industry to invest in setting up joint ventures in Pakistan for the production of military wares like naval ships and fighter jets, terming it an important step to fortify their all-weather strategic ties.”

Chinese Air Force eyes combination of offensive, defensive strategy in air and space: “BEIJING | As China’s state-run press agency Xinhua reported, Fighter jets screamed, reconnaissance gunships buzzed and various surface-to-air missiles rolled down for the People’s Liberation Army …”

Taiwan military delegation in US, seeking F-16s (AFP via Yahoo! News): “Taiwan wants to buy more F-16 fighter jets and will press the issue at an annual defence meeting with US officials, a military officer said Monday.”

China tension: NSA summons meeting (NDTV): “China’s soldiers, helicopters and now even fighter jets have been intruding into Indian territory and airspace in the last month. Beijing’s new aggressiveness comes even as talks continue to resolve the border issue.”

Latinamerica turns to Europe, Russia and China for military hardware: “Brazil’s plans to buy French fighter jets confirms a trend across Latinamerica that is based in recent history and the proclivity of US lawmakers to put political restrictions on what customers can and cannot do with their purchases.

This had convinced many Latinamerican countries that it is more reliable and less politically sensitive to acquire military hardware from Western Europe, Russia and lately from the emerging China and in the near future possibly from India.

In Brazil’s case this helps explain in part why France’s Rafale emerged victorious over the US F/A-18 Super Hornet and Sweden’s Gripen NG, according to the planned purchase announced on Monday; plus the 9 billion US dollars cooperation agreement for the acquisition of submarines, one of them nuclear powered and 50 choppers.

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